A series of crash tests was conducted to evaluate several types of guardrails and bridge rails. Two bridge rail designs were tested and showed acceptable performance when evaluated in accordance with NCHRP 230. A three-cable guardrail was modified, and an end terminal was redesigned to obtain good performance. The guardrail safely redirected a large and small vehicle traveling at 60 mi/h and impacting at 25 and 20 degrees, respectively. The terminal design was tested for snagging by directly impacting the downstream end. Although the device released, the vehicle rolled over. A new PL3 median barrier was designed and tested in accordance with the new AASHTO bridge rail test criteria. A 50,000-lb tractor-trailer impacted the median barrier at 50 mi/h and 15 degrees. The truck was redirected and contained, but rolled over producing undesirable occupant compartment intrusion. An 18,000-lb truck test was conducted on the modified three beam median barrier. The results indicated good performance.
The 32-in. (813-mm) concrete parapet has a flat vertical traffic face with a thickened section along the top. The flat vertical face serves to smoothl...
A combination concrete parapet and metal railing for performance level one of the 1989 AASHTO Guide Specifications for Bridge Railings was designed an...
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